Ki-21 Color and Camo Dec 1941 Rangoon

Greetings,

Looking for information on the markings of the Ki-21 Sally's of the 12th Sentai, 60th Sentai, 62nd Sentai and 98th Sentai in late 1941 in the CBI area fighting against the AVG and RAF. Particularity Rangoon during the Christmas fighting.

There is a painting showing a camo pattern of Japanese green with brown/tan similar to the AVG/RAF pattern on the P-40. Looking for information on each Sentai and what patterns were used. It seems there were a mix of color schemes depending on where the Sentai came from. Were any just all Japanese Army green or did all have some form of camouflage?

Thanks,

Todd

Hi Todd,
Here is what I have.

Ki-21-Ia 60th Sentai, 1st Chutai, 1939-40:

Ki-21-Ia 60th Sentai, 2nd Chutai, Manchuria, 1939

Ki-21-Ia 60th Sentai, 3rd Chutai, China, 1939-40

Ki-21-IIa 12th Sentai, 2nd Chutai, CBO theate, source Model Art #533

Ki-21-IIa 12th Sentai, 3rd Chutai, Dec 1941

More to come from the 62nd and 98th sentais...

Hi Todd,

Here are some examples from the 62nd and 98th sentais:

Ki-21-IIa 62nd Sentai, 1st Chutai

Ki-21-IIb 98th Sentai, 2nd Chutai

Ki-21-IIb 98th Sentai, 2nd Chutai


In case you don't know, the major versions of the Ki-21 were the Ki-21-Ia and Ki-21-Ib, which had "block" engine cowlings and the Ib had remote operated tail gun; the Ki-21-IIa and Ki-21-IIb, which had upgraded engines with more rounded streamlined cowlings and the IIb replaced the long dorsal "greenhouse" with a manually operated turret (as shown in the two examples of the 98th Sentai images). For some reason the second image shows a 98th Sentai ship with a dorsal turret and the long greenhouse. A mistake I believe but the camouflage depicted is still correct.

If you have a Facebook account I did a three part series of articles on the Ki-21 for SIG I am a member of. The articles have lots of pics, color plates and technical diagrams that may be of help to you. Here are the links:

Banzai Japanese Aviation Series - Mitsubishi Ki-21 - Sally in Betty's Shadow - Part 1 Design and Development
www.facebook.com/groups/1414345762215538/permalink/2302219300094842/

Banzai Japanese Aviation Series - Mitsubishi Ki-21 - Sally in Betty's Shadow - Part 2 Combat and Improvements
www.facebook.com/groups/1414345762215538/permalink/2303982449918527/

Banzai Japanese Aviation Series - Mitsubishi Ki-21 - Sally in Betty's Shadow - Part 3 Alternate Uses
and Successors
www.facebook.com/groups/1414345762215538/permalink/2306495399667232/


Hope this helps.

I think these pictures need to be a little smaller.

Hi Windswords,

Thanks for the reply! Your picture of the Ki-21-IIa from the the 12th Sentai is what I was looking for. It is similar to another I saw from the Christmas day raids. Your Facebook links have a lot of interesting information!

I've seen most of the other pictures you posted on the site: WINGS PALETTE - Mitsubishi Ki-21 Sally/Jane/Gwen - Japan

Many of these don't give a time period or are either before or after the AVG period. I was under the impression that the yellow leading edges on Japanese planes didn't show up until around September of 1942.

Thanks,

Todd

Hi Todd,

Your welcome. Yes the yellow ID bands appeared later in 1942. The AVG was offcially ended in June or July 1942 and became the nucleus for the 23rd Fighter Group.